MSc
Digital Systems Engineering
Use our modern multimedia computational facilities
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Digital systems engineering is the core technology that underpins modern-day living.
You will gain a sound theoretical and practical knowledge of digital devices, tools, data networks and operating systems. Also learn to apply new technologies in order to participate in the design and development of the next generation of digital communication systems.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Focus on the practical application and design aspects of digital systems rather than intensive analytical detail
- Analyse high-frequency signals or measure antennas in our anechoic chamber
- Access a wide range of powerful and modern multimedia computational facilities, with the latest industry software installed
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course puts you in an excellent position to start a career as a professional engineer in the telecommunications, electronics, automotive, control and aerospace industries. You could find jobs in areas as diverse as consumer and professional electronics, robotics, defence, broadcasting and telecommunications.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- professional electronics
- design
- research and development
- product manufacture
- project management
The lecturers here are world class engineers – leaders in their field – so deciding to stay on and do my MSc here was the best decision I ever made.
David Hume, engineering student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 1 year full time, 3 years part time
- Entry
A second-class honours degree, or equivalent, in relevant subject. Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements but have extensive relative work experience may also be considered.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £6,000, part-time students: £2,000 p/a* (3 years)
International full-time students: £11,900, part-time students: £3,970 p/a* (3 years)
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- technology.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2555 - Department
- School of Engineering
Structure & Teaching
You will study several key topics and complete a four-month individual project in which you apply your knowledge to a significant, in-depth piece of analysis or design. Projects are tailored to your individual interests and may take place in our own laboratories or, by agreement, in industry.
Here are the units you will study:
- VHDL and Digital Systems Design
- Advanced DSP Techniques
- Mixed Signal Processors
- Real-Time Embedded Systems
- GPU Architecture and Programming
- Communication System Analysis
Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials (personal and academic), laboratory sessions and project work. The course has a strong practical emphasis and you will spend a significant amount of time in our electronic, communications and computer laboratories.
How are you assessed?
A range of assessment methods encourages a deeper understanding of engineering and allows you to develop your skills. Here’s how we assess your work:
- written examinations
- coursework
- laboratory-based project work
- a major individual project/dissertation
Facilities & Features
Laboratories
We offer you a range of well-equipped labs
Specialist Software and Equipment
We have an impressive collection of hardware/software development tools
Computing Suites
You'll have access to our advanced computer suites
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Laboratories
We offer you a range of labs such as the Analogue Electronics and Control Engineering Laboratory and the Telecommunications and Signal Processing Laboratory. From Digital Signal Processing (DSP) kits to walking robots, all are well-equipped with industry-standard experimental and computational facilities.
Specialist Software and Equipment
We have an impressive collection of hardware/software development tools for design, development and implementation. With many of our labs fully equipped with numerous benches for testing and measurements of a wide range of electronic systems, you'll have access to all the gadgets you’ll possibly need to explore different networking technologies, study programming languages and apply a wide range of application packages to complete your individual project.
Computing Suites
You will have access to our advanced computer suites with the latest analysis and simulation software including ProEngineer, ANSYS, FLUENT, AutoCAD, Abaqus, Geomagic Studio, LabVIEW, CES, Enterprise Dynamics, Adobe Dreamweaver and MATLAB. We also have computer and network suites for ECAD, software development and computer networking, Linux general application suites, specialised networking rooms and a Cisco Academy. Regular use of such applications is a great way to further familiarise yourself with industry-standard software packages.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
This course is designed to respond to a growing skills shortage of people with core knowledge in advanced digital systems engineering. It is an excellent preparation for a successful career in this ever expanding and dynamic field of engineering.
On successful completion of the course, you will have gained the skills and knowledge that will make you attractive to a wide variety of employers with interests ranging from overall system design to the more detailed development of subsystems.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- electronics engineer
- product design engineer
- aerospace engineer
- application engineer
Career planning
One of the benefits of studying at Portsmouth is the support that we provide to our Master's and Research Degrees students in career planning. Our careers and recruitment service – Purple Door – can assist you in career research and finding employment opportunities. Help is also available if you wish to find a part-time job while studying your degree. We offer our postgraduate students and alumni one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, or an online service for those not able to travel back to the University. Our alumni can call on our career services for five years after graduation.
In addition, regular employability events offer you the chance to meet employers, find out about different career sectors and improve your applications or CV. The Graduate Summer Programme provides a range of guidance and employability seminars and workshops.